Ditching-machine.



H. W. LUTZ.

DITCHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED mulza, 1914.

1,187,001., Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

VCVIQTNESSES. N M Z0 ONflVENTOI-i. flaw 1 COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH 110., WASHINGTON, D. c

' H. WQLUTZP DITCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.23, 1914.

Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEETZ- JIENESSEE mvzu'roa ffl THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH O0 YWASHIINBTONLDQ G,

H. w. LUTZ.

DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man JAN- 23. 1914.

1,187,001. Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3*.

WITNESSES mvENToR.

LUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON D c HARRY w. LUTz, or SHERIDAN, MICHIGAN.

DITGI-IING-MACI-IINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. June 13, 1916.

Application filed J anuary 2'3, 1914. Serial N 0. 813.834.

of Sheridan, in the county of Montcalm and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new, useful, and Improved Ditching- Machine, of which the following is a specification, which, taken in connection with the V g vlded 'a main frame having side members 1 accompanying drawings, fullyv discloses a complete and operative embodiment of the same.

This invention relates to ditching machines and has as its main purpose, the provision in a machine of this type of mecha nism by which either open ditches with sloping sides or trenches with vertical sides may be dug, together with means for varying the width of either the open ditch or trench, the machine in its operation also conveying and disposing of the dirt taken out in digging the ditch.

to )rovide a new tv eof di er and attach l t at;

a plurality of such diggers to endless chains and so associate such diggers that the dirt loosened by one of the diggers is received in front of and carried by the next succeeding digger, and to also provide such diggers with cutting edges which are spaced apart and which readily permit the passage of small obstacles such as roots therebetween, for action by a digger following, it being readily understood that each digger so passing an obstacle of this kind bears against it with a cutting edge until the obstacle is finally severed.

Many other objects and purposes will ap- 1 pear as the description progresses and understanding 1s had of the construction shown of the same with the side conveyer removed for sake of clearness. Fig. 3 is a front View thereof. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the front portion of the digging means shown as in the operation of digging a trench. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the diggers used. Fig: 6 is a sectional view taken transversely-of the conveying bed of the immediate digging mechanism. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section taken on'the line a a, Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In the construction shown, there is proandfront and rear cross members 2, said frame being supported by front and rear wheels 8 and 4 respectively, an axle 5 connecting the front wheels and a front support 6 being interposed between the main frame and the front axle and connected pivotally to the said axle centrally thereof so that the front wheels may have change .of direction in the usual and wellknown manner. A rear axle 7 carries the rear wheels and it is permanently connected; with the main frame in any desired manner. 7 Mounted on the side main frame membersl a distance back of the front cross member 2 are the brackets 8 with journals in which are mounted the cross shaft 9, a'drum10 being attached at each end of the shaft andeach drum having chains or other equivalent con: nections 11 secured thereon and adapted to be wound thereon, the other ends of said connections being secured tothe front axle 5. A Worm wheel 12 is attached to shaft 9 having meshing therewith a worm 13 fixed,

on the end of rod 141 which is supported by a series of brackets 15 attached to the frame member 1 and which at its rear end carries a wheel 16 with a handle thereof for convenience in turning. It will be apparent that turning of the wheel-will operate the shaft 9 and. drums 10 thereby causing a change in direction of the front wheels and axle.

Supported between theside frame members 1 a short distance back, of the front member 2, is a similar member 17 while a distance in front of the rear cross member 2, a cross member 18 is slidably mounted for movements forward or backward with respect toithe frame members 1, having 117$,

ends received in the housings 19 attached to the upper sides of side members 1. Positioned between said members 17.,and 18 is'a frame comprised of parallel side members 20 and cross members 21 at the frontand rear ends of the side members, the frame bewhile at the front a shaft 23 is loosely received 1n bearings on cross members 2 and 17, said shaft being flattened and permascribed is pivotally [mounted in'the main frame, and as the connections of shafts 22 and 23 areat the middle points of the cross members 21 of the frame, the aXis'ofpi-votal movementis located centrally of the said second frame and parallel .to the longest dimension thereof. Attached to the side frame member 1 is a hollow post 24 in which is slidably receivedthe bar 25 which at its upper end is provided with a pin passing through and working in' the slot 26 formed in the lateral flattened extension27 of the shaft 23 as previously set forth. Bar '25 is formed with arack on the outer side thereof,

and meshingtherewith is the pinion 28 carried on the front end of the rod 29, a side of the hollow post 24 being partially cut away to permit. theengagement of the rack and pinion. Rod 29 extends'to the rear, being supported by a series of brackets 30 attached to member 1, and at its rear end is provided with an operating wheel 31 similar to wheel16-on rod 14.1 It is evident that the turning "of theipivotally mounted frame within themain frame is controlled by the wheel 31 and that operation thereof will cause the'frame as a whole'with any elements-or mechanism attached thereto to turn about the axis of shafts 22 and 23, tilting the said frame'an amount corresponding to theturning of the control wheel 31. Any COIIVGDIEBHhIHGaIlS may be provided to hold the said frame in any position to which it gmay'be operated.

The'machine as'awhole is designed to be dr1venby power, and for convenience, gasolene engines may be used; It is intended.

that an engine of this type shall be mounted on the inner pivotally mounted frame, it

. however not being shown in the drawing on account ofconfusion of lines arising therefrom. Such engine or other equlvalent power is connected to and drives the pinion 32 which in turn through the series of gears and pinions represented as awhole by refer- ;ence character 33. drives the shaft 34 mounted across-the rear part of the inner frame in journalsattache'd'to the frame members 20.

' -A;bevel gear 35iskeyed near the end of saidjshaft buthas slidable movement with v I reference to the shaft so that itmay engage f with either the bevel pinion '36 or the sprocketf-fwheel 37 ,loosely, mounted at the end of the shaft, there'being dog clutch projections on the outer face of thebevel gearadaptedto connect with the sprocket when out.

ner frame by a j our'nal bracket 39 shown in ,F 1g. 7 and 1s jointed to a second short shaft 40, the end of which carries a sleeve 41 se cured thereto. A third short shaft 42 is received in this sleeve and is slidable with reference thereto, the shaft, however, being rotatable with the sleeve. This may be accomplished by making the shaft square in cross-section and the sleeve square also, or by any other equivalent construction. The shaft 42 in turn is pivotally connected to the end of shaft 43 by a pivotal connection similar to that connecting shafts 38 and 40, the

pivotal axis thereof, however, being at right angles to the pivotal'aXis of shafts 38 and 40. Shaft passes through a journal or bushing 44 secured on the upper side of member 18 and two set collars 45 are rigidly attached to said shaft on either side of the bushing. At its rear end the shaft 43 is journaled in a journal 46 attached to the rear main frame member 2, and between the said members 2 and 18, acombined worm and friction clutch member 47is loosely mounted on the shaft 43, the worm section having engagement with a wormwheel 48 mounted on cross shaft 49 and adapted to drive such shaft, while the clutch portion of member 47 is frictionally engaged by the companion clutch member 50 secured on and rotatable with the shaft 43 and being pressed against the mem-. ber 47 by nut 51 threaded on shaft 43' and bearing against the clutch member '50, which, may be ofwood or other similar suitable friction material. Shaft 49 is carried at its ends by suitable journal boxes secured to the under side of the main frame members 1 and at each end a pinion 52 is attached to the shaft, thesepinions meshing with gears 53 rigidly secured'to the rear wheels 4 as shown. It will be evident that suitable differential mechanism must be supplied in driving the shaft 49 as in any other similar occasion where a cross shaft is rotatable and drives spaced apart drive wheels, but such mechanism being no part of my invention, it is not specifically shown and described. A sprocket wheel 54 is also secured to the cross shaft and a sprocket chain 55 connects this wheel with the sprocket 37 loosely mounted on shaft 34 as previously pointed Secured at each end of the slidable cross, member 18 is a strong coiled spring 56,

each of which at its forward endis secured to a rod 57 which passes forward through a bracket 58 attached one to each frame member 1, a nut being threaded on'the end of each rod whereby the tension of the said driven by the sprocket 54 and movement transmitted therefrom to the rear wheels 4. This is the driving connection when the machine is to be moved from one place to another, as for instance, in traversing a considerable distance from one place to an other. At work in digging a ditch .the drive will be through the pinion 36 which will cause the rotary movement of shaft 43 and rear clutch member 50, thence through frictional contact of members 50 and 47 to the worm wheel 48 t0 shaft 49. The digging mechanism, as will presently be set forth, is also mounted at its rear end on the shaft 34 and as it is pressed forward against a bank will transmit a back pressure to the shaft 34 and the inner pivotal frame whereby it will tend to force cross member 18 to the rearagainst the tension of springs 56. As the member 18 is carried to the rear, the shaft 43, by reason of the set collars will be moved with it, thereby carrying friction member 50 away from member 47 and breaking the friction drive between members 50 and 47. As soc-n as the pressure is at all relieved because of the stopping of the forward movement of the drive wheels 4, the

springs 56 immediately carry the cross member 18 and attached parts forward, at'once starting the forward drive of the drive wheels. In this manner, it will be evident that there is, in the process of digging, a continual forward pressure of the'digging mechanism against the excavated bank causing a continual excavation thereof automatically effected by the frictional drive mechanism as described and without necessitating the attendance of an operator to see that the excavating is going forward; The construction between the pinion 36 and the set collars 45 is provided in order that no stopping of will occur when the inner frame is pivotally' turned about its axis of rotation as hereafter described.

Pivotally mounted on the'shaft '34 are a pair of; spaced apartarms 59 which extend forward and are secured to the sides of angle iron side members 60 forming a part of the main conveyer for the excavated dirt carried by the digging mechanism. These angle irons are spaced apart and have con nection by any suitable detachable connections to the sides of the channel plate 61, there also being provided a series of cross angle members 62 for strengthening the conveyer frame, such angles 62 also being adapted to be detachably connected to the parts 60 and 61 by bolts or other suitable connecting means. A series of rollers 63 are mounted adjacent the sides of the conveyer frame, for convenience in construction, a cross shaft '64 lying between and carried by the downwardlyextending legs of theoangles 60 for each pair of rollers, the rollers projecting through slots 60 in the angles 60 a short distance above the upper surface thereof and adapted to carry the conveyer chains 65, two of such chains being shown in the drawings, and to which the diggers and conveying elements are secured.

The forward ends of the angles 60 project a distance beyond the end of the channel plate 61 and form a convenient support for the mechanism, the digging and conveying elements passing therebetween as indicated in Fig. 4. Also the plate 61 terminates a distance short of the shaft 34 thereby leav ing an open space through which the excavated material may drop to the side conveyer 66 shown in Fig. 1 as positioned below the main conveyer and supported from the main outer frame.

The conveyer chains 65 are of well known endless type and at the rear pass over drive pulleys or other suitable driving elements 67 loosely mounted on the shaft 34. Clutch members 68 are mounted on shaft 84 adjacent the said drive pulleys and are keyed to the shaft but slidable thereon so as to enfrom one place to another, but by moving.

the clutch members laterally,the operation of the digging and conveying mechanism may be easily effected. Any convenient means may be used to operate the clutch members 68 and to secure them in either of their positions. Integral with one of the drive pulleys 67 may be formed the beveled I gear 69 which through suitable shafting and beveled gears may be used to operate the side of the drivlno' mechanism or breakage thereconveyer when the primary conveyer is in operation as will be readily understood Positioned about midway of the ends of the side members20 of the inner frame are the journals 70 in which is mounted the shaft 71 having thereon a drum 72 around which chains or'other suitable flexibleelements are wound, the lower ends thereof being permanently secured to the angle irons I 60. or other convenient portions of the main conveyer frame. A worm wheel 7 3 attached at the endof shaft 71 is engaged by and operated by the worm 74 on the end or rod 7 5' which is supported by suitable brackets 7 6 attached to the side member 20 and which reaches rearwardly and upwardly to a position adjacent the ends of rods 14 and 29, being provided with a similar operating wheel 77. the turning of which will effect the rotationof the drum72 and'cause the raising or lowering ofthe forward endof the conveyer frame and the digging and conveying elements mounted, thereon as will be readily apparent.

e As the digging and conveying device. enters the ground, the side guards of the conveyer, shown at 78 are adaptedto automatically ride upward along the sides of the conveyer as indicated in lFigAt by means of the following construction, To each of the sides 78 ,;near:the forward ends thereof is secured a bracket carrying a wheel 79 at the free-end thereof which runson the ground adjacent the edge of the trench dug. A secondbracket 80 is secured to the forward end of each side 7 8, extends downward, is then bent inwardly and again down,

turning aroundthe rod 81 formed and attachedtotheconveyer frame as shown in Fig. 2, and a roller 83 positioned between the bentup end and the side of said bracket member said bracket end; being indicated at 82. Furthermore a brace rod 84: extends from the axle of roller upward and to the rear and is secured to the side member 7 8.

.These side members he alongside the outer sides of the angles 60 and retaining brackets 85' may be secured to said angles *as indicated to serveas holding and guiding elements for .the'side members ltwill be' clearthat as the conveyer enters-the ground, the rollers '79 will bestopped from going with it, therebyzforcing' the side guard members 78 to move upward 'and to'the rear along the iupper part of theconveyer bed. As the sides of the trench will prevent excavated material from dropping 05 the conveyer bed 7 -within the trench and below the surface of the ground, it is evident that the side, guards are of. utility only above the surface, and this mechanism serves to position the sides inproper useful location irrespectiveof the depth of the trench dug.

The digging'and .conveyingelements se- Icured to the conveying chains will now be specificallydescribed; Referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that such elements are comprised each'of a central member and two spaced apartcutting or digging wings. de-

jJtachably secured to theicentral member.

The central member 86. is formed as a plate having a central iunder integral extension 7 87 ofless width than thejmain plate, and

. f sect-ion iwith a laterally b'entt lower end it .is attached and a curved upper section which projects under thesection S8 to which with'a': curved forward cuttingxedge. In

normal position as attached to the conveyer pchains, these d ggingand, convey ng elemerits "PI'QJGCt atright angles to the conveyer bed, tl1e central member 86 standing upright with its lower projection 87 passing between. the edges of the angles 60 and with the wings 89 also standing upright with the cutting upper sections thereof curved inwardly toward each other and spaced apart attheir pointed ends by a comparatively short distance. Perforations are made in the bent lower ends of the sections 89 and the digging elements as a whole are secured to the chains by means of bolts passed through such perforations and a link of the chain. The digging and conveying elements are held at right angles to the plane of the chain links to which they are attached by means of the short chains 90 attached one to each cutting side 89 and also to the conveyer chains as shown in Fig. 4c. As a means for tightening a conveyer chains, 1 may provide the bracket 91 and movably attach it to the bed of the conveyer so that it may be extended inward or outward, and mount a roller on the end thereof over which the chain runs.

With this construction in mind, the operation thereof will be readily apparent. If a trench with vertical sides is to be dug, as

means Or the like are to be laid, the mechanism is started with the gear 35 engaging gear 36 and operating the drive wheels 4 as heretofore set forth. Also at the same time, the collars 68'are thrown into engagement with drive pulleys 67, starting the digging'and conveying mechanism in motion. The drum 72 is turned to release and lower the front end of the digging device to the desired extent 'whereupon the forward ends of angles 60 sink into the ground and the forward cutting edges of the members '89 cut into and loosen the ground the digging mechanism sinking deeper into the ground as the process continues until the extent of the releaseof chains on drum 72 is reached. There will be a continual forward pressure exerted against the excavated bank and the cutting wings 89 will continu-- ally cut into and loosen the material in front of the digging and conveying mechaism, the loosened material falling through between thecutting wings and into place to be received in front of'and carried forward by the upright member 86 of the next succeeding digger member. For instance, in

Fig. 4, the overhanging bank above the forward end of the digging and conveying device will be continually cut into and loosened the loosened material falling through and being carried forward by the next suc-' ceeding digger member until the rear end of the plate 61 is reached w'hereupon'the material falls onto the side conveyer 66 and is depositedon the bank of the ditch. In this operation of cutting trenches with ver tical sides, the inner frame is positioned in the case where tile, sewer pipe, water 1 with its sides in the same horizontal plane,

ments described will be of great utility in operation. The curved surfaces of the cutting ends of the wing members will leave the bottom of the trench rounded and in shape to receive tile or similar cylindrical .tubes, while the cutting edges of the wings may at any time be sharpened by merely removing and grinding. The spacing apart slightly of the extreme ends of the cutting wings permits the passage of small obstacles such as roots and the like, while the cutting edges act successively on such obstacles until they are completely severed and easily removed. The extent to which the central member 86 projects upwardly may be changed if desired so that it reaches more nearly to the ends of the cutting wings. This is a matter of design merely.

This machine with digging devices of the character described mounted one behind the other will cut a narrow trench equal in width to the width of a digger element. To cut a wider trench, a slight modification only is necessary, that is the plate 61, shafts 64. and spacing angles 62 may be lengthened and widened for the new width while the chains 65, shown as two in number may be replaced by a greater number, three or four or more, the same digging elements being attached to the said chains but positioned in series side by side or in staggered relation if desired to make up for the desired increase This is a matterof design also, and does not change in any essential particular the principle of my invention.

The foregoing describes the operation of the trench digging having vertical sides. To dig one with sloping sides, the vertical trench is dug as before, with a widthequal to the bottom width of the desired amount. The machine is then turned around and the inner frame tilted at an angle this throwing the rear portion of the digging and conveying mechanism outward but leaving the forward end at the bottom of the ditch as before and in the same position. Upon operation of the mechanism with the parts in such position, there will be cut off on one side of the trench an even slope from the bottom to the top of the ditch. To cut the slope on the other side, the inner frame is tilted as before and on return along the length of the ditch,,the opposite side is out with a slope to correspond as will be evident.

I have fully described a complete and operative embodiment of my improved digging mechanism and one fully capable of accomplishing the functions stated.

Various modifications in structure will occur to others skilled in the art without departing from the principles of my invention. The disclosure, therefore, should'be taken as diagrammatic and illustrative of' the invention only and not as limiting the invention to any precise structure beyond the limitations prescribed by the appended claims.

WhatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device'of the character described, a carrying frame mounted for movement from one place to another, said mounting including driving wheels supporting said frame, a second frame horizontally positioned and pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis within the said frame; excavating mechanism supported from said second frame and pivotally mounted for raising and lowering one end thereof, means to drive said excavating mechanism, means to drive said drive wheels connected tothe means driving the excavating mechanism, said means including elements whereby the drive wheels are operated forward to force the excavating mechanism with continuous pressure against obstructions and permitting the drive wheels to stop on increase of the pressure above a predetermined amount.

2. In a device of the character described a main frame, a second frame located within the main frame, a cross member slidably carried by the main frame, yielding means forcing the said cross bar against the second frame, excavating mechanism connected to and depending from the second frame, means to drive said excavating mechanism, means for mounting the main frame including drive wheels whereby the excavating mechanism may be propelled forward, means to drive said wheels con nected with the driving means for the excavating mechanism, said means including a friction clutch adapted to disengage when the pressure against the excavating mechanism becomes suflicient to force the second frame and cross bar to the rear against the force of the yielding means and stop the forward movement of the drive wheels, and

to engage and operate said wheels forward '115 from the shaft, drive wheels connected to the main frame for propelling it forward,

.means to drive the excavating mechanism and means for driving said wheels interposed between the shaft and said wheels;

4. In a device of the character described,

' a main frame, a second frame located with- :in and supported by the main frame by means of cross bars located at the front and rear of the second frame, said rear cross bar being slidably mounted on the main frame, means to yieldingly force the cross bar against the second frame, a shaft rotatably mounted on the second frame, con- Veyer mechanism comprising a conveyer bed and endless flight conveyer devices, said i t 1 bed pivotally mounted on the shaft, and the 15 shaft, means to drive said shaft, drive endless flight devices being driven by the l w heeis connected to the main frame and adapted to propelit forward, means for 1 driving said wheels from the said shaft including a friction ciutch, a shaft fixed mechanism forcing the second frame and bar to the rear against the action of the said yielding means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY \V. LUTZ. \Vitnesses:

FRANK E. LIVERANCE, J r., L. E. CARRALL.

00p!" of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, t Washington, D. 0. 

